Coherent Breathing Timer: ~6 Breaths / Minute
Coherent breathing (also called resonant breathing) is slow, even breathing with no holds — equal inhales and exhales at roughly 5–6 breaths per minute. This timer paces a smooth 5-seconds-in, 5-seconds-out rhythm you can keep up for 5–20 minutes.
Coherent
Slow and even. A few slow breaths, whenever you need them.
The pattern: Inhale 5s → Exhale 5s (no holds)
Press Start and a drop of ink breathes with you: it spreads into the paper as you inhale and draws back as you exhale. No signup, no download, no ads.
What is coherent breathing?
Coherent breathing is often described as breathing at a "resonant" pace: roughly 5 to 6 slow breaths a minute, with 5.5 the figure you'll see quoted most. You don't need to hit an exact number — slow and even is the point.
Many people find slow, unhurried breathing calming, and an even rhythm gives a busy mind something steady to follow. It's a wellness practice, not a treatment: if stress, low mood or a health condition is affecting your daily life, talk to a doctor or therapist.
Unlike the physiological sigh (a quick reset) or box breathing (pre-performance focus), coherent breathing works best as a regular practice — 10–20 minutes, ideally at a similar time each day. It's also the easiest technique to sustain: no complex counts, no holds, just a smooth pendulum of breath.
When to use it
- →A daily practice: 10–20 minutes at the same time each day. Morning sessions can set a calm tone; evening sessions help you wind down.
- →During meditation: The even rhythm gives a wandering mind an anchor without the cognitive load of counting patterns.
- →Practising a pause: Regular practice gives you a familiar, steadying rhythm to come back to — useful if you're working on responding rather than reacting.
- →Winding down after a long day: After a hard day, 10 minutes of slow, even breathing can feel more settling than a few quick sighs.
How to do it — step by step
- 1Sit comfortably: Spine tall but relaxed, eyes closed or soft. You'll be here a while, so comfort matters more than posture perfection.
- 2Breathe in for 5 seconds: Slowly through your nose, letting your belly expand.
- 3Breathe out for 5 seconds: Through your nose, smooth and unforced. No pause at the top or bottom — the transition should feel like a pendulum changing direction.
- 4Continue for 5–20 minutes: Start with 5 minutes and build up. If 5-5 feels strained, try 4-4 and lengthen over sessions; if it feels easy, 5.5-5.5 or 6-6 slows the pace a little further.
Frequently asked questions
Why 5.5 breaths per minute?
5.5 breaths per minute is the pace most often quoted for resonant breathing, and the slow pace people settle into varies from about 4.5 to 6.5. This timer's 5-in/5-out rhythm (6 breaths per minute) sits in that range and is the easiest even count to follow; stretch toward 5.5 seconds per phase as it becomes comfortable.
How is coherent breathing different from box breathing?
Coherent breathing has no holds — just smooth, equal inhales and exhales — and is meant for longer, regular sessions. Box breathing adds two 4-second holds and is a short tool for focus under pressure. Think daily practice versus quick reset.
How often should I practise coherent breathing?
Little and often works better than the occasional long session. Many people start with 5 minutes a day and build toward 10–20. Consistency beats session length.
More than a timer
Reflect includes all 10 guided breathing exercises free — no signup needed to use this timer. If you ever want a calm, private place to write after you breathe, the journal is free too. No streaks, no ads, and we never train AI on your entries.